Westfield Office Group 3 First Team
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Congratulations, Class of 2010 Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, June 24, 2010 OUR 120th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 25-2010 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Westfield Council Passes Budget, Debates Attorneys Compensation By LAUREN S. BARR the “safety of children put first.” that need to be funded. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Mr. Baker was critical of the council Mr. Baker stood up in the audience WESTFIELD — At Tuesday night’s to vote on a budget without knowing and interrupted Councilman Foerst to Westfield Town Council meeting, the where the cuts would be made. He also say that Mayor Andrew Skibitsky had council approved the town’s $39.1- criticized the council for holding bud- asked for “crazy ideas.” Despite being million municipal budget in a 7-1 vote, get meetings in committee, where they told he was out of order by Mayor with Democratic Councilman David are “intentionally closed to the public,” Skibitsky, Mr. Baker insisted that he be Haas casting the lone “no” vote. The and for allowing hourly legal fees to be allowed to “interrupt [Councilman 2010 municipal budget represents an raised by 50 percent. Foerst] as much as he interrupts me.” increase of $181 on the average as- Mr. Baker said that the council should Councilman Haas, a member of the sessed home of $185,100. reduce legal fees and raise parking fees council’s finance committee, said, Resident Jim Baker was the only in order to save crossing-guard posi- “There are a lot of good things in this member of the public to comment on tions. While he was speaking, Council- budget,” and he wanted the public to the budget. He questioned whether or man James Foerst told Mr. Baker that know that his “no” vote was not meant not a determination had been made on the budget is “prudent” and that he can to “condemn it all.” what crossing-guard posts would be run for office next year. He explained that he had several cut. During Councilman Foerst’s com- concerns regarding the hiring of part- Councilwoman JoAnn Neylan told ments on the budget, he said the budget time attorneys as employees, without him that a decision had not been reached process was “not easy,” as there was competitive bidding, and providing yet but that cuts would be made with only so much money and many things them with a pension rather than putting them on retainer, as would be done in the private sector. Mr. Haas said the town hired a new public defender who does not participate in the pension pro- gram, proving that the town can still get Courtesy of Bill Griffeth SCHOOL’S OUT...Crossing guard Ziggy Kozlowski, pictured at the intersection of Clark Street and Tuttle Parkway in “quality people” without offering this Westfield, is one of the many crossing guards who help kids get to school safely. To view the photos of Ward 1 crossing guards option. taken by Mr. Griffeth, see goleader.com/photos. Mr. Haas also expressed disappoint- ment that the town did not take advan- tage of the state’s energy audit program when it had the opportunity, which Westfield Historical Society Honors could have led to cost savings. Coun- cilman Haas did praise the budget for having lower operating expenses than the previous year’s. Many, Selects Hall of Fame Inductees Councilwoman Neylan, who also WESTFIELD – The Westfield His- House Building Committee. Marilyn accomplished in their fields as well as serves on the finance committee, said torical Society held its 41st annual din- Shields was honored with The Trust- having made a significant impact on she “stand(s) behind this budget,” add- ner meeting on May 26 at Echo Lake ees’ Award for her revered work as a the town, the state or the nation. ing that she felt Councilman Haas was Country Club and hosted a record landscape architect in many Westfield “The list of inductees suggests that Courtesy of Robert Meiklejohn being “disingenuous” with his “no” crowd. landscapes and gardens. the community has fostered people of CATCHING THE PERFECT GAME...Jeff Torborg was one of five inductees of vote because he introduced the budget The Thomas Glasser Foundation was Ms. Hanson presented Letty Hudak importance and achievement,” said Mr. the Westfield Hall of Fame at the Westfield Historical Society annual dinner last at the May 25 meeting. honored for its leading gift to the Reeve with a Trustee Emerita Award and Hale, chairman of the selection com- month. Pictured, left to right, are: Alma Kehler, Jeff Torborg, Suzie Torborg and Finance Committee Chairman Coun- House project and its important philan- George Gross with a Trustee Emeritus mittee. Members of the Hall of Fame Nancy Priest, president of the Westfield Historical Society. cilman Mark Ciarrocca said he is “proud thropic work in the community. award. will be permanently honored at the of this budget and proud of the pro- LeeHale presented the award to Gerry The Westfield Historical Society Reeve House History and Cultural cess.” Glasser on behalf of The Thomas Selection Committee inducted five in- Center, located at 314 Mountain Av- GW Approves Road Work; He said that the town’s new public Glasser Foundation. dividuals/families into the Westfield enue in Westfield. The Reeve House is defender does participate in the state’s Sherry Cronin presented The Presi- Hall of Fame. This is the second year being rehabilitated and restored as the contribution system, just not the “de- dents’ Award to Karrie Hanson for her that the Historical Society has inducted historical society’s permanent home Private Dumpsters Advised fined benefit” program. He added that commitment to the Westfield Histori- prominent Westfield residents into its and educational center. By RENNIE WOLTERS road-improvement project. the energy audit would have cost the cal Society and for leading the Reeve Hall of Fame. All the nominees are The 2010 inductees of the Westfield Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Council members reiterated that bulk town money to implement the recom- Historical Society Hall of Fame in- GARWOOD — The Garwood Bor- pick-up is cancelled for the rest of the mendations and that the mayor’s “Green cluded: ough Council held a short meeting, year due to cutbacks in the borough Team” is currently working on “long- SPMC Seeks Presence 1. Charles Apgar (1830-1915) – Tuesday, in the presence of eight resi- budget and that the topic of bulk pick- term” energy solutions for the town. Known as the “wireless wizard” for his dents in the council chambers of the up will be revisited next year. Council- Mayor Skibitsky said this was a “dif- pivotal role in saving British and Ameri- municipal building. man Keith Sluka suggested that resi- ficult budget year,” given the loss of At Summer Concert Series can freighters during World War I, he Mayor Dennis McCarthy attended dents of the same block rent a private revenue and state aid. He thanked all of By FRED T. ROSSI volvement, along with a possible fi- assisted the Secret Service in shutting the Arthur L. Johnson High School dumpster to use collectively. No permit the town’s employees for their hard Specially Written for The Westfield Leader nancial contribution, in the upcom- down a German wireless station that graduation ceremony in Clark that is required for a dumpster, but police work, specifically the fire department, SCOTCH PLAINS — The Scotch ing concert series at Alan Augustine was broadcasting tips to German U- evening and, therefore, was not present notification is recommended, said Bor- public works and non-union employ- Plains Management Corp. (SPMC) Village Green, which lost its munici- boats about approaching Allied mer- at the meeting. Council President ough Clerk Christina Ariemma. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 is planning a significant on-site in- pal funding but is being resurrected chant ships. He built and developed Stephen Napolitano stood in for the Summer recreation begins Monday, by private donations. one of the most powerful wireless radio mayor. June 28, and lasts through Friday, Au- The SPMC board, last Thursday, systems in his house on Carleton Road. The council approved a bond ordi- gust 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Little RVSA Agrees to Pay $7,590 voted to contribute $1,500 to pay for 2. Sigismund Ivanowski (1874-1944) nance to resurface Center Street from League field. Sign-up is still available, sound systems at the first two shows, – A graduate of the St. Petersburg Acad- North Avenue to South Avenue and to said Councilman Louis Petrozzelli. which are set for Thursdays, July 15 emy and a renowned portrait artist, he resurface Willow Avenue from East Councilman Anthony Sytko sug- To Environmental Company and 22, but will make the donation came to the area with his wife, Helen Street to Oak Street, including drain- gested that council members and coun- By TOM FORTUNATO leased into the atmosphere through a only if plans to have the Westfield Moser, and established a studio in his age, sidewalk, curb and driveway apron cil-meeting attendees support the Green Specially Written for The Westfield Leader smokestack and ignited, producing a Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and a house on Mountain Avenue. It was improvements. The 2010 Road Im- Team and walk to the next borough RAHWAY — The Rahway Valley bright flame visible above the RVSA jazz quartet from the Mason Gross there that he painted portraits of Admi- provement Project will cost the bor- council meeting. Sewerage Authority has come under plant at night.